rooster attacked by a hawk not eating might be blind now need help

[JOHNNYO13]

hello i need some ideas on how to get my rooster to eat, or what to feed him. he was attacked by a hawk i think it blinded him. can someone give me some ideas on what to do. i don't have the heart to put him down. this i why i need some help thank you john

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

So sorry to hear about your roo. If you can give some more info it might help folks to give you ideas. I believe there is a sticky note somewhere with questions to answer. Things like what kind of bird, what was he eating, stuff like that. Wishing you the best.

ETA:
Here's a link to the sticky with general sites that might have help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=112920
Here's the link for guides on how to post emergencies to facilitate others providing help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

Also, in case you didn't notice, you can subscribe to the thread you started so you can be notified when you get replies.

 

[kuntrygirl]

it sounds as if your rooster was attacked by your hawk. do you mean that your rooster was attacked by a hawk?

 

[77horses]

I'm so sorry...but I don't have any experience with that. My best and only advice is keep him separated from the rest of his flock so they don't peck at him and keep him somewhere warm with food and water. If he's completely blind, you will have to help feed and give him water everyday because he won't be able to do it on his own. Possibly, if he's blind, you can keep him with a "buddy" chicken (one that won't peck him or boss him around) inside the house in a small inside coop/enclosed area, and help him eat and drink and maybe he will learn how to do it on his own after a while. Maybe if you put easy-to-reach food/water dishes in one spot and keep them there, then take him to that spot to feed and water him everyday, he might eventually find his way around and know where the food/water is if you leave them in that exact spot. But that's just something you could try. There's no guaranteeing it will work.

But first things first; make sure he's not too injured now. Hopefully someone else on here can hep you with that.

Good luck and I hope your rooster gets well soon!

P.S. I think you should change the "my" in your title to "by"...It sounds like you're saying your rooster attacked your hawk haha

sorry I just had to point that out...grammar mistaes bug me.

 

[JOHNNYO13]

sorry my rooster was attacked by a wild hawk

 

[DianeB]

If I were you situtation, I probably would consider this an emergency and take him to the vet. Most are willing to cut a deal, if you can't pay upfront, unemployed, etc. When I took my hen in for a bruised vent, it was only $45 for an examination and medication (and I have an expensive vet). It maybe slightly more if he needs stitches. I know that this is not the first thing that comes to mind for most people. But, if you want to save your rooster, this may be your best option.

Best of Luck

 

[JOHNNYO13]

i called the vet he just suggested keeping him in the house away from the other rooster. but i don't know what else to feed him or how much. he is not bleeding any more. he still crows in the morning or when he hears the other rooster.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

You can give him yogurt, bread, fruit (which may give him runny poo), greens, and vegetables along with his normal food. Also, some electrolytes may help (Gatorade). My advice would be to baby him for a while until he seems to be better. I've never had a blind chicken, so I can't help you there, but I think that there's a thread for "special needs chickens" over on the Managing Your Flock category. You may be able to pm some of those people who have had blind chickens and ask them about your roo.

 

[chickletranch]

Trying giving him some scrambled eggs or some fresh or canned corn. You will have to put him in front of the food or bring some to his beak so he knows it's there. Put some water in a bowl, along with some avian vitamins, and dip his beak til he drinks. We have a blind hen who gets along fine. We confined her to a hutch, and put in a companion hen with her. We keep the food and water in the same place all the time, so she knows where it is. Get a heavy ceramic bowl for his feed so he can feel the edges when he bumps into them, and won't tip it over.

Good luck,
Lynn

 

[theFox]

If you put him in a well lit area and just move your finger slowly from left to right and then from right to left about a foot an a half in front of him while paying attention to his eyes do they follow your fingers? If they do then he still has some vision, it is possible he is in shock, if so you'll need to bribe him into eating and drinking. Keep him warm and in a quiet area. Talk softly and offer him some treats.

We had a partially blind White Plymouth Rock that had no trouble getting around and feeding itself.

Just let your roo have some quiet time , show him where things are and he may turn out to just be shook up.